THE Daily Echo can today exclusively reveal the full details of Tesco's plans to come to Fareham - bringing up to 400 jobs and new homes with it.

The store could be built on 1.84 hectares of land on the former foundry site and adjacent land in Quay Street as part of a massive regeneration project on the disused land.

The project will house 89 families - and at least 22 of them will be able to snap up affordable homes.

The store covers 5,623 square metres on the ground floor level with a mezzanine level cafe and staff accommodation.

Nearly 400 underground car parking spaces are provided for customers, as well as 75 spaces for residents.

A mix of one, two-bedroom and three-bedroom flats and houses would be set in three semi-private courtyards.

Tesco corporate affairs manager Katherine Edwards said: "It is a smaller scheme than originally envisaged, but following detailed negotiations with planners and highways officials at the council this is what we've gone for.

"At least 25 per cent of the homes will be affordable housing, but there will be more talks with the council to determine the exact details."

Civic chiefs are supportive of plans for a supermarket in the town, subject to planning requirements being met.

Council leader Sean Woodward sees the development as the completion of the town centre following the £30 million Market Quay development nextdoor.

Tesco bosses, who are applying jointly with JJ Gallagher Ltd, hope to persuade council chiefs to allow them to build access to the site through the council-owned Bath Lane car park.

Highway improvements would include signals at the Quay Street roundabout and the creation of an additional eastbound lane along the A27.

A cycle path and pedestrian access also make up part of the plans.

Agents Alsop Verrill have included a traffic impact study, contamination checks, noise and transport assessments and a protected species survey with the application, which can be viewed at Fareham's civic offices.

The foundry site has been waste ground since the closure of Gibbons, which made manhole covers, more than a decade ago.

Some disused buildings, including the building formerly used by children's charity the Rainbow Centre, remain on adjacent land in Quay Street.

The Daily Echo revealed in September that Tesco had finally confirmed their interest in building there after months of speculation.